Ateneo - UPO

The course will provide the theoretical and practical basis of the methods used for the study and analysis of gene expression through a theoretical and practical approach. In particular the recombinant DNA techniques used to clone, express and analyze gene products will be given in the model organism Escherichia coli.

-Brown. “Biotecnologie molecolari”, Zanichelli. -Dale, von Schantz, Plant. "Dai geni ai genomi", EdiSES - Reece, “Analisi dei geni e dei genomi”, EdiSES. -Lesson presentations.

The student acquires: 1) Knowledge and understanding about cloning and expression vectors (procaryotic and eukaryotic) and the main gene manipulation strategies. 2) With practical activities, he will be able to use the main techniques employed to produce recombinant proteins in the experimental E. coli prokaryote model. 3) Communication skills about the use of an appropriate vocabulary in relation to the topics covered during the course.

The teacher does not advise to address the study of matter without the appropriate culture provided by the chemistry, genetic, biochemistry and molecular biology. The student should also have a property of language and scientific mastery.

Lessons in class and laboratory sessions. Frequency of the laboratory practical activity is obligatory.

The information about the time organization (days and times) of the laboratory practice activity will be given during the first lesson. At the end of each laboratory practice activity, the results obtained will be discussed and analyzed. Each experience requires a report in which the results obtained based on the knowledge gained during the course will be discussed. The slides projected by the teacher during the lesson are available in the DIR section (Laboratorio biotecnologie vegetali). The teacher responds to the e-mails signed and coming from the domain name.surname@uniupo.it.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The purpose of the exam is to verify the level of knowledge into all the subjects present in the program and the reasoning capacity developed by the student. The exam is an oral test and it consists: a) 1-2 questions related to theoretical and practical parts of the course to evaluate the knowledge and skills acquired and b) discussion of laboratory session reports. The reports must be delivered at least seven days before the oral test. However, presence (at least 85%) of the laboratory practical lessons is a rule to attend the oral test. The final grade is expressed in thirtyth (minimum 18) and will take the partial scores obtained in the each question.

Theory: Biotechnolody, Bioethanol. Escherichia coli. DNA cloning. Cloning vectors and expression vectors. Fusion proteins and TAGS. Electrophoresis and affinity chromatography.
Practice: Expression and purification by chromatography techniques of recombinant proteins in E. coli. SDS–PAGE and Blue Comassie staining and zymogram.

The student: 1) Knowledge and understanding: he will know a) cloning vectors and expression vectors, the principal strategy to clone and to gene modifications related to protein expression and purification. 2) Skill: he will be able to use the main techniques employed to recombinant protein production in the prokaryotic E. coli experimental model. 3) Autonomy of judgment: he will acquire the ability to analyze and critically assess the experimental results obtained using the methods described and performed. 4) Communication skills: he will known and will use an appropriate vocabulary in relation to molecular mechanisms of the cell. 5) Learning skills: he will acquire the ability to use the teaching material provided for a critical and reasoned study of the topics and also he will be able to deepen and update independently, through reading texts and scientific articles, issues related to all topics and methods covered during the course.